How to Recover from a Meniscus Tear

Meniscal tears are an unfortunately common knee injury for runners. It can occur from overuse, or sudden injury. Any activity that causes you to forcefully twist or rotate your knee, especially when putting your full weight on it, can lead to a torn meniscus. Trail runners or runners who must dodge unexpected obstacles may be at increased risk of meniscal tear. One major question that those who suffer from a meniscus tear is whether or not they should get surgery. If you choose not to get surgery, you must be careful to heal properly.

What is a Meniscus Tear?

There are two menisci in each knee, one medial (inside) and one lateral (outside). The menisci are made of fibrocartilage and serve as shock absorbers between the ends of the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). The meniscus is attached to the capsule of the knee joint, which is richly innervated. Although the meniscus does not have nerves, a torn meniscus can pull on the capsule, causing pain. A torn meniscus causes pain, swelling and stiffness.

For athletes, meniscus injuries often occur alongside other knee injuries, such as ACL tears.

What are the Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear?

You may not feel pain from a meniscus tear for up to 24 hours. However, you will likely develop the following symptoms:

  • A popping sensation

  • Swelling or stiffness

  • Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee

  • Difficulty straightening your knee fully

  • Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it

  • Feeling of your knee giving way

How Does a Doctor Diagnose a Meniscus Tear?

The first way a doctor will see if you have a Meniscus tear is with the McMurray test. Your doctor will bend your knee, then straighten and rotate it, which puts tension on a torn meniscus. If you have a meniscus tear, this movement may cause pain, clicking, or a clunking sensation within the joint.

X-rays and MRIs can also help to detect a meniscus tear.

Do You Need Surgery for a Meniscus Tear?

The treatment your doctor recommends will depend on a number of factors, including your age, symptoms, and activity level.

For most tears, a doctor will only recommend ice, rest, and likely physical therapy to help you get back to running safely and strengthen the muscles around your knee.

However, if the tear occurs in the outer one-third of the meniscus, which has a rich blood supply, surgery may be recommended so it can heal properly. Meniscus tear surgery is very common, with about 850,000 surgeries performed each year in the United States.

There are three types of meniscus surgery:

  • Arthroscopic repair

  • Partial meniscectomy

  • Meniscus repair

If you have surgery, physical therapy will be a necessary part of the healing journey. Working with a physical therapist that specializes in runners will help ensure your knee muscles are strengthened and keep you from getting re-injured.

How Long Can You Start Running Again After a Meniscus Tear?

Recovery time depends on whether or not you have surgery. Patients usually will recover within a month, and can start running within two to three months after their injury. However, if you undergo repair surgery, it may take as long as 3 months to recover, then you may begin your running conditioning again.

Charlotte Spangler